THE BASICS
Q: What time does school start?
A: School starts at 7:40 am.
Q: When is homeroom?
A: There is no homeroom. At 7:40 am, you report to your first class.
Q: How much time do you get between classes?
A: About 4 or 5 minutes, depending on the day of the week.
Q: How long is lunch?
A: You will have 22 minutes for lunch.
Q: Is lunch good?
A: Lunch is very good. Lunch costs $3.00. A sample menu for a few days is shown here. Lunch menus are on the MHS website:
Monday - CHINESE CHICKEN Honey Sriracha, Whole Grain Fried Rice, Steamed Corn, Carrot Sticks, Crunch Apply, Milk
Tuesday - CALZONE Meatball & Cheese, Oven Roasted Carrot Fries, Chilled Strawberries, Milk
Wednesday - WARRIOR PIZZA Cheese or Pepperoni, Romaine Salad, Chilled Pears, Milk
Thursday - TWIN TACOS 2 Crunch Shells, Seasoned Beef, Lettuce, Tomato, Shredded Cheese & Salsa, Black Beans, Orange Smiles, Milk
Friday - GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD w/ Fresh Parmesan Cheese, Croutons and Warm Garlic Bread, Chilled Mixed Fruit, Milk
SERVED DAILY: Sunbutter & Jelly, Chicken Patty, Warrior Pizza, Salad, assorted Sandwiches and Wraps, Burgers & Veggie Patty. All meals come with fruit, vegetable, whole grain bread, and milk.
Q: Will there always be people in my grade in my lunches and classes?
A: Yes.
Q: Will there be people from other grades in my classes?
A: Yes, mostly in Foreign Language, Math, Business and Technology, Music and Art.
Q: Do we get lockers?
A: Yes.
Q: What are block days?
A: Block days are Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the schedule for those two days rotates. Instead of having 7 classes which are 44 minutes each, you have 4 classes which are 88 minutes each.
Q: What is reading period?
A: Reading period is a block of time during the school day where students can quietly read, do homework, or study. During this time, students have the opportunity to go to the Math Lab, Writing Center, Guidance, or to see a teacher for extra help
Q: What time does school start?
A: School starts at 7:40 am.
Q: When is homeroom?
A: There is no homeroom. At 7:40 am, you report to your first class.
Q: How much time do you get between classes?
A: About 4 or 5 minutes, depending on the day of the week.
Q: How long is lunch?
A: You will have 22 minutes for lunch.
Q: Is lunch good?
A: Lunch is very good. Lunch costs $3.00. A sample menu for a few days is shown here. Lunch menus are on the MHS website:
Monday - CHINESE CHICKEN Honey Sriracha, Whole Grain Fried Rice, Steamed Corn, Carrot Sticks, Crunch Apply, Milk
Tuesday - CALZONE Meatball & Cheese, Oven Roasted Carrot Fries, Chilled Strawberries, Milk
Wednesday - WARRIOR PIZZA Cheese or Pepperoni, Romaine Salad, Chilled Pears, Milk
Thursday - TWIN TACOS 2 Crunch Shells, Seasoned Beef, Lettuce, Tomato, Shredded Cheese & Salsa, Black Beans, Orange Smiles, Milk
Friday - GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD w/ Fresh Parmesan Cheese, Croutons and Warm Garlic Bread, Chilled Mixed Fruit, Milk
SERVED DAILY: Sunbutter & Jelly, Chicken Patty, Warrior Pizza, Salad, assorted Sandwiches and Wraps, Burgers & Veggie Patty. All meals come with fruit, vegetable, whole grain bread, and milk.
Q: Will there always be people in my grade in my lunches and classes?
A: Yes.
Q: Will there be people from other grades in my classes?
A: Yes, mostly in Foreign Language, Math, Business and Technology, Music and Art.
Q: Do we get lockers?
A: Yes.
Q: What are block days?
A: Block days are Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the schedule for those two days rotates. Instead of having 7 classes which are 44 minutes each, you have 4 classes which are 88 minutes each.
Q: What is reading period?
A: Reading period is a block of time during the school day where students can quietly read, do homework, or study. During this time, students have the opportunity to go to the Math Lab, Writing Center, Guidance, or to see a teacher for extra help
THE RULES
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: Yes. Student attire that is disruptive to teaching is unacceptable. Clothing that is excessively revealing or depicts alcohol or other illegal images are considered to be disruptive. Students who wear these articles
of clothing or jewelry will be asked to exchange them for more appropriate attire.
Q: Can we wear hats?
A: Yes.
Q: Can we chew gum?
A: No.
Q: Do girls carry purses?
A: Most students carry backpacks.
Q: Can we use ipods and cell phones?
A: At times teachers may incorporate cell phones/smart phones into their lessons. However, electronic devices are not to
be out or in use unless permission has been granted.
Q: Do we get to leave school during school hours?
A: Only if dismissed by a parent.
Q: Can we bring food or water to class?
A: Water is allowed at the teacher’s discretion.
Q: How many tardies does it take to have a detention?
A: After the 3rd unexcused tardy, per term, a detention will be given.
Q: What happens when you are late?
A: If you are less than 10 minutes late for your class, you are given a tardy. After the 3rd unexcused tardy per term, a detention
will be given. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class, you are given an unexcused absence.
Q: What is the attendance policy?
A: Students are permitted 6 unexcused absences per term. Students are permitted 15 total absences per term, excused or unexcused. If a student exceeds 6 unexcused absences or 15 total absences in a class, they will not receive credit for that class in that term. If a student exceeds 15 absences in a single term, they will not receive a grade for that term (marked with 'N' on the report card). Credit recovery options can be made available to students. For the full attendance policy, see the Student Handbook on the MHS website.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: Yes. Student attire that is disruptive to teaching is unacceptable. Clothing that is excessively revealing or depicts alcohol or other illegal images are considered to be disruptive. Students who wear these articles
of clothing or jewelry will be asked to exchange them for more appropriate attire.
Q: Can we wear hats?
A: Yes.
Q: Can we chew gum?
A: No.
Q: Do girls carry purses?
A: Most students carry backpacks.
Q: Can we use ipods and cell phones?
A: At times teachers may incorporate cell phones/smart phones into their lessons. However, electronic devices are not to
be out or in use unless permission has been granted.
Q: Do we get to leave school during school hours?
A: Only if dismissed by a parent.
Q: Can we bring food or water to class?
A: Water is allowed at the teacher’s discretion.
Q: How many tardies does it take to have a detention?
A: After the 3rd unexcused tardy, per term, a detention will be given.
Q: What happens when you are late?
A: If you are less than 10 minutes late for your class, you are given a tardy. After the 3rd unexcused tardy per term, a detention
will be given. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class, you are given an unexcused absence.
Q: What is the attendance policy?
A: Students are permitted 6 unexcused absences per term. Students are permitted 15 total absences per term, excused or unexcused. If a student exceeds 6 unexcused absences or 15 total absences in a class, they will not receive credit for that class in that term. If a student exceeds 15 absences in a single term, they will not receive a grade for that term (marked with 'N' on the report card). Credit recovery options can be made available to students. For the full attendance policy, see the Student Handbook on the MHS website.
FIELD TRIPS / CLUBS / ACTIVITIES
Q: Are there field trips?
A: Sometimes. It depends on the class.
Q: Are there ever overnight trips?
A: There can be. Again, it depends on the class.
Q: What clubs are there? What are the after school activities?
A: There are many clubs to choose from. In September, there is a club day with tables set up by the various clubs for information and sign up. Click the button below or visit http://www.medfield.net/mhs-activities/clubs.html for further information on clubs and activities.
Q: Are there field trips?
A: Sometimes. It depends on the class.
Q: Are there ever overnight trips?
A: There can be. Again, it depends on the class.
Q: What clubs are there? What are the after school activities?
A: There are many clubs to choose from. In September, there is a club day with tables set up by the various clubs for information and sign up. Click the button below or visit http://www.medfield.net/mhs-activities/clubs.html for further information on clubs and activities.
SPORTS
Q: Can freshmen play on varsity teams?
A: Yes. Freshmen can play on varsity teams.
Q: If you are on a JV2 team, is there any way to move up to JV1?
A: Yes, at the coach’s discretion.
Q: Do sports require tryouts?
A: Yes, in most cases.
Q: Does the track team have to sprint miles?
A: This is up to the coach.
Q: Is it hard to keep up with your schoolwork when you play a sport?
A: It is important to manage your time well in order to accommodate both the sport and your schoolwork. Many students are able to do both well. You will have to see how well you are able to manage it.
Q: What kind of grades do you need to play sports?
A: To be on a team, you need to be passing 6 out of 7 classes.
Q: Can freshmen play on varsity teams?
A: Yes. Freshmen can play on varsity teams.
Q: If you are on a JV2 team, is there any way to move up to JV1?
A: Yes, at the coach’s discretion.
Q: Do sports require tryouts?
A: Yes, in most cases.
Q: Does the track team have to sprint miles?
A: This is up to the coach.
Q: Is it hard to keep up with your schoolwork when you play a sport?
A: It is important to manage your time well in order to accommodate both the sport and your schoolwork. Many students are able to do both well. You will have to see how well you are able to manage it.
Q: What kind of grades do you need to play sports?
A: To be on a team, you need to be passing 6 out of 7 classes.
ACADEMICS
Q: What classes are better taken in 9th and 10th grade instead of 11th and 12th grade?
A: Most seniors recommended taking as many academic classes as possible in 9th and 10th grade to allow for some more flexibility and options in the 11th and 12th grade.
Q: If there are no clusters, how do you divide up the students with their teachers?
A: Scheduling determines which teachers you get.
Q: Do we have rotations or the same class the whole year?
A: Some classes are one semester and some are for the whole year.
Q: If you don’t do well in an honors class and decide to drop it, will anyone think worse of you?
A: No. No one would think worse of you. This is something to talk over with your teachers, parents and guidance counselor.
Q: What is your grading system?
A: Grades are given and a GPA (grade point average) is calculated. The following is the grading system:
A+ 97 - 100 C+ 77 - 79
A 93 - 96 C 73 - 76
A- 90 - 92 C- 70 - 72
B+ 87 - 89 D+ 67 - 69
B 83 - 86 D 63 - 66
B- 80 - 82 D- 60 - 62
F Below 60
Q: How do credits work?
A: Each class is worth a number of credits. A full year course (such as English) is worth 5 credits while a one semester course (such as
Introduction to Art) is worth 2.5 credits.
27 credits are needed in 9th grade for promotion to 10th
55 credits are needed for promotion to grade 11 (27 from grade 9 and 28 from grade 10 = 55)
84 credits are needed for promotion to grade 12 (27 from grade 9, 28 from grade 10, 29 from grade 11 = 84)
A total of 115 credits are needed for graduation (27 from grade 9, 28 from grade 10, 29 from grade 11, and 31 from grade 12 = 115)
Q: Do colleges look at grades from every class in high school?
A: Yes. Colleges look at your transcript from 9th grade to 12th grade.
Q: Do you have after school help?
A: Yes. Teachers are here until at least 2:50 Monday-Thursday. You can make an appointment to see them then. In addition, some teachers offer extra help some mornings too. There is also peer tutoring, math lab, and a writing center available for support.
Q: Does an honors class learn the same information as a C1 or C2 class?
A: Honors classes will cover the information in more depth than a C1 or C2 class, and the pace of an honors course is generally faster. In addition, more independent learning is expected in an honors class.
Q: How hard is it to go from a regular class to an honors class?
A: Grades and performance are evaluated in every class and every year to determine if or when a change in level is warranted.
Q: What classes are better taken in 9th and 10th grade instead of 11th and 12th grade?
A: Most seniors recommended taking as many academic classes as possible in 9th and 10th grade to allow for some more flexibility and options in the 11th and 12th grade.
Q: If there are no clusters, how do you divide up the students with their teachers?
A: Scheduling determines which teachers you get.
Q: Do we have rotations or the same class the whole year?
A: Some classes are one semester and some are for the whole year.
Q: If you don’t do well in an honors class and decide to drop it, will anyone think worse of you?
A: No. No one would think worse of you. This is something to talk over with your teachers, parents and guidance counselor.
Q: What is your grading system?
A: Grades are given and a GPA (grade point average) is calculated. The following is the grading system:
A+ 97 - 100 C+ 77 - 79
A 93 - 96 C 73 - 76
A- 90 - 92 C- 70 - 72
B+ 87 - 89 D+ 67 - 69
B 83 - 86 D 63 - 66
B- 80 - 82 D- 60 - 62
F Below 60
Q: How do credits work?
A: Each class is worth a number of credits. A full year course (such as English) is worth 5 credits while a one semester course (such as
Introduction to Art) is worth 2.5 credits.
27 credits are needed in 9th grade for promotion to 10th
55 credits are needed for promotion to grade 11 (27 from grade 9 and 28 from grade 10 = 55)
84 credits are needed for promotion to grade 12 (27 from grade 9, 28 from grade 10, 29 from grade 11 = 84)
A total of 115 credits are needed for graduation (27 from grade 9, 28 from grade 10, 29 from grade 11, and 31 from grade 12 = 115)
Q: Do colleges look at grades from every class in high school?
A: Yes. Colleges look at your transcript from 9th grade to 12th grade.
Q: Do you have after school help?
A: Yes. Teachers are here until at least 2:50 Monday-Thursday. You can make an appointment to see them then. In addition, some teachers offer extra help some mornings too. There is also peer tutoring, math lab, and a writing center available for support.
Q: Does an honors class learn the same information as a C1 or C2 class?
A: Honors classes will cover the information in more depth than a C1 or C2 class, and the pace of an honors course is generally faster. In addition, more independent learning is expected in an honors class.
Q: How hard is it to go from a regular class to an honors class?
A: Grades and performance are evaluated in every class and every year to determine if or when a change in level is warranted.
8th Grade vs. 9th Grade
Q: What is the difference between 8th grade and 9th grade?
A: A few upperclassmen were asked and they replied that the schedule (classes), the block days, and being with older students are the biggest differences.
Q: What if I didn't do well in middle school?
A: You have a chance to start all over again in high school! Your high school teachers will not know what kind of a student you were in the middle school, so you will have an opportunity to be a different type of student in high school.
A little bit of nerves is very normal!
Enjoy your summer, have no worries, and we look forward to seeing you in September!
Q: What is the difference between 8th grade and 9th grade?
A: A few upperclassmen were asked and they replied that the schedule (classes), the block days, and being with older students are the biggest differences.
Q: What if I didn't do well in middle school?
A: You have a chance to start all over again in high school! Your high school teachers will not know what kind of a student you were in the middle school, so you will have an opportunity to be a different type of student in high school.
A little bit of nerves is very normal!
Enjoy your summer, have no worries, and we look forward to seeing you in September!